For four days in September, Belle Isle runners, picnickers and anglers will be replaced by talking cars, driverless vehicles and high-tech traffic systems.

The futuristic Belle Isle demonstrations are part of the Intelligent Transport Systems 21st World Congress, running concurrently at Cobo Center Sept. 7-11.

The event occurs in North America every three years, this marking the first time it's been to Detroit. It's expected to draw as many as 10,000 business executives, legislators and researchers to showcase the latest innovations in transportation.

Belle Isle will host live demonstrations of driverless cars, including passenger vehicles, commercial trucks and military vehicles, and robotics.

The island became a state park in February, when Michigan leased the city-owned park for 30 years relieving bankrupt Detroit from managing the area.

Scott Belcher

Scott Belcher, president of Washington, D.C.-based ITS America, said the state's offer of using the park for the World Congress proved how serious the state takes its stake in automotive.

"Michigan is blazing the trail for investment in automotive technology… ," he said. "Belle Isle is a beautiful location, and it's ideal for us; it's risky to demonstrate these technologies on public streets, and now we can do it in a controlled environment with amazing views of the Detroit skyline."

Prior to the state's offer, ITS was working with the city of Detroit for permits to test the autonomous technologies on the public roads near Cobo Center, Belcher said.

During the event, Belle Isle will be closed for four days to the general public, with the exception of owners of boats docked at the Detroit Yacht Club.

Rob Morosi, communications specialist at the Michigan Department of Transportation, said the inconvenience to the public is mitigated due to the time of year.

"The event is during the work week, and the kids are back in school," Morosi said. "With this event, we're looking at bringing in thousands of people to touch and feel these technologies, and Belle Isle is an ideal location to showcase what the technology can do in a closed environment."

More than 30 demonstrations by automakers, suppliers and technology companies will take place on Belle Isle.

Southfield-based Denso International America Inc. will have two demonstrations. It will showcase its human-machine interface for two connected vehicles, which will communicate with each other and the infrastructure, and its advanced-cruise control technology featuring steering control.

Terry Helgesen

"We'll have these vehicles working together to give the passengers a good feel and taste of our products," said Terry Helgesen, senior vice president of industry and government affairs at Denso. "The Belle Isle location allows us to demonstrate our technologies with fewer limitations and give people a true demonstration of how these machines work."

Troy-based Valeo North America Inc. will demonstrate its autonomous parking technology, which allows drivers to leave their vehicle at a parking lot entrance and send it to a parking space via their smartphones.

Belle Isle will also host a special event for first responders and students.

The demonstrations come on the heels of major announcements regarding connected and driverless cars in Michigan and the U.S.

In February, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced it would begin working to allow vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology on consumer light vehicles. Late last year, Gov. Rick Snyder signed automated motor vehicle legislation, allowing for manufacturers to test driverless cars on Michigan roads.

"We began putting this together four years ago and a lot of things have come together … to make this the best World Congress we've ever seen," Belcher said.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is expected to make an announcement Sept. 7 in support of expanding the connected car pilot program in Ann Arbor.

The University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute launched a study in 2012 of 3,000 vehicles equipped with vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure technology. The group is expanding that pilot to 9,000 vehicles over the next two years.

The USDOT wants to bring the total to 20,000 vehicles in Southeast Michigan over the next five years, Belcher said.

A Detroit-themed festival will also be held on the island for the event, featuring Michigan-based food, beer and music, he said.

The conference and exhibit event at Cobo aim to build the business case for these technologies as well as educate about their functions. MDOT is planning to operate a traffic management center in Cobo for the event, allowing attendees to see how the state manages traffic lights, traffic flow and freeways.

The World Congress is hosting several sessions specialized for global government officials, chief technology officers, executives and engineers.

As many as 30 heads of state DOTs will be on hand for the conference as well as 15 foreign transportation ministers, Belcher said.

The event will also include an investor component for startups and entrepreneurs, including a matchmaking event.

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